Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents today and you could be owed compensation.

In today’s fast-paced and busy world, distracted driving is a common problem. Distracted driving involves anything that diverts the driver’s attention away from the road. According to statistics cited by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), distracted driving accounted for approximately 9% of fatal crashes in 2017 and caused the deaths of over 3,000 people. NAIC notes that widespread reliance on mobile phones has worsened the problem of distracted driving. Here in Savannah and across the nation, distracted driving continues to be an ongoing concern.

If you or your loved one have been injured or killed in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be able to collect compensation for your losses. Find out how a Savannah distracted driving accident lawyer could fight on your side.

Georgia’s Measures to Curb Distracted Driving

The Georgia Department of Transportation has targeted distracted driving throughout the state with the Drive Alert Arrive Alive safety campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to educate drivers about simple changes they can make in their driving behavior to prevent accidents and save lives.

In addition, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety debuted Georgia’s Hands-Free Law in 2018, which applies to all drivers in Georgia (including Savannah). This law:

• Forbids drivers from having their phone in their hand or touching any part of their body while driving
• Forbids drivers from sending text messages, reading text messages, engaging with social media, or using their phone for any reason other than voice texting
• Forbids drivers from watching any videos, except navigation or GPS videos
• Forbids drivers from recording video, except continuously running dash cams

In 2019, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) reported that Georgia’s efforts to curb distracted driving have produced positive results—but even with these gains, distracted driving continues to be a problem on Georgia’s roads. According to the AJC, the Georgia State Patrol wrote over 15,000 distracted driving citations between July 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019. This number only indicates the number of distracted drivers who were caught by law enforcement.

The presence of distracted driving will almost certainly persist, as people become even more tethered to their mobile phones. Distracted driving spells danger for eventual victims of this behavior, which may include you.

Savannah Distracted Driving Accidents Lawyer Near Me912-225-4600

Direct Dangers of Distracted Driving

While using a mobile device is one of the most common forms of distracted driving, it is not the only way that a driver can be distracted. Some other forms of distracted driving include:

• Adjusting the car’s entertainment system
• Engaging in interactions with others outside of the vehicle, including road rage incidents
• Taking your attention away from the road to engage with those inside of your vehicle
• Reaching for items that fall while you are driving
• Eating or drinking while the vehicle is in motion, which may require you to take one or more hands off the wheel

Any type of distracted driving can:

• Cause you to not see vehicles stopping in front of you
• Reduce the time you have to react to other vehicles or changing road conditions
• Cause a collision to be worse, since you may have less time to brake or swerve
• Cause an accident resulting in injury or death

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you are driving 55 MPH, your vehicle will travel the distance of an entire football field in about five seconds. In other words, taking your eyes off the road for even just a few seconds can cause immense danger to yourself and others on or near the road.

If you or a loved one were a victim of distracted driving, a Savannah distracted driving accident lawyer can help you seek compensation through a lawsuit.

A Lawsuit Could Be Your Path to Compensation

If you or a loved one incur losses because of a distracted driving accident, there may be a few routes to possible compensation, including insurance or a lawsuit.

A Savannah distracted driving accident lawyer may be able to represent you in negotiations with insurance companies. In this case, it is possible that:

• The driver who caused your accident does not have insurance
• The amount of insurance coverage that you and the at-fault driver have is not enough to cover your losses
• The insurance company (or companies) that should pay for your losses do not offer fair compensation

These and possibly other circumstances may be reasons for you to explore the merits of a personal injury lawsuit. If your loved one died in an accident involving distracted driving, you could have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.

How a Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you choose to pursue a lawsuit, a lawyer may:

• Assess the facts of your case to determine who may be at fault for your losses
• Collect evidence that may be of use during settlement negotiations or at trial
• Write your lawsuit and file it in the appropriate court
• Consult experts and witnesses for testimony that may support your case for awards
• Calculate the losses you have suffered and the awards that you may be entitled to as a result
• Represent you in all legal matters
• Negotiate for a compensation settlement and take your case to trial if needed
• Defend your rights throughout your lawsuit’s duration

You may be able to collect compensation that covers some or all of your losses, which could include lost income, medical expenses, and any other forms of harm that have affected you because of your accident.

Call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Today

We are here to take care of all your legal needs, including completing your lawsuit, while you recover. A Savannah distracted driving accident lawyer may be able to represent you with no upfront costs. Call the team at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.